ALGORITHMS AND
FLOWCHARTS
ALGORITHMS AND FLOWCHARTS
A typical programming task can be divided into two
phases:
Problem solving phase
roduce an ordered sequence of steps that describe solution of
problem
his sequence of steps is called an algorithm
Implementation phase
mplement the program in some programming language
Steps in Problem Solving
First produce a general algorithm (one can use
pseudocode)
Refine the algorithm successively to get step by step
detailed algorithm that is very close to a computer
language.
Pseudocode is an artificial and informal language that
helps programmers develop algorithms. Pseudocode is
very similar to everyday English.
Software Development phases
Pseudocode & Algorithm
Example 1: Write an algorithm to determine a student’s final
grade and indicate whether it is passing or failing. The final
grade is calculated as the average of four marks.
Pseudocode & Algorithm
Pseudocode:
Input a set of 4 marks
Calculate their average by summing and dividing by 4
if average is below 60
Print “FAIL”
else
Print “PASS”
Pseudocode & Algorithm
Detailed Algorithm
Step 1: Input M1,M2,M3,M4
Step 2: GRADE (M1+M2+M3+M4)/4
Step 3: if (GRADE < 50) then
Print “FAIL”
else
Print “PASS”
endif
The Flowchart
(Dictionary) A schematic representation of a sequence of
operations, as in a manufacturing process or computer
program.
(Technical) A graphical representation of the sequence of
operations in an information system or program.
nformation system flowcharts show how data flows from source
documents through the computer to final distribution to users.
rogram flowcharts show the sequence of instructions in a single program
or subroutine. Different symbols are used to draw each type of flowchart.
The Flowchart
A Flowchart
hows logic of an algorithm
mphasizes individual steps and their interconnections
.g. control flow from one action to the next
Use the following link for online Flowchart drawing
https://www.lucidchart.com/pages/examples/flowchart-maker
Flowchart Symbols
Basic
Name Symbol Use in Flowchart
Oval Denotes the beginning or end of the program
Parallelogram Denotes an input operation
Rectangle Denotes a process to be carried out
e.g. addition, subtraction, division etc.
Diamond Denotes a decision (or branch) to be made.
The program should continue along one of
two routes. (e.g. IF/THEN/ELSE)
Hybrid Denotes an output operation
Flow line Denotes the direction of logic flow in the program
Example
START
Step 1: Input M1,M2,M3,M4
Step 2: GRADE (M1+M2+M3+M4)/4
Input
M1,M2,M3,M4
Step 3: if (GRADE <50) then
Print “FAIL”
else
GRADE(M1+M2+M3+M4)/4 Print “PASS”
endif
N IS Y
GRADE<5
0
PRINT PRINT
“PASS” “FAIL”
STOP
Example 2
Write an algorithm and draw a flowchart to convert the length
in feet to centimeter.
Pseudocode:
Input the length in feet (Lft)
Calculate the length in cm (Lcm) by multiplying LFT with 30
Print length in cm (LCM)
Example 2
Flowchart
Algorithm
START
Step 1: Input Lft
Step 2: Lcm Lft x 30 Input
Lft
Step 3: Print Lcm
Lcm Lft x 30
Print
Lcm
STOP
Example 3
Write an algorithm and draw a flowchart that will
read the two sides of a rectangle and calculate its
area.
Pseudocode
Input the width (W) and Length (L) of a rectangle
Calculate the area (A) by multiplying L with W
Print A
Example 3
Algorithm START
Step 1: Input W,L
Step 2: AL x W Input
W, L
Step 3: Print A
ALxW
Print
A
STOP
Flowchart – sequence control structure
Statement 1
Statement 2
Statement 3
:
Flowchart – selection control structure
No Yes
Condition
else- then-
statement(s) statement(s)
Nested if-else flowchart diagram
Flowchart – repetition control structure
yes Loop
Condition
Statement(s)
no
Flowchart – example 1
Begin
Read birth date
Calculate
Age = current year – birth date
Display
age
End
I work again
Flowchart – example 2
Begin
Read age
YES Age > 55? NO
print “pension” print “I work again”
End
Flowchart – example 3
Begin
sum = 0
current_number = 1
NO
current_number <= 10? print sum
YES
End
sum = sum + current_number
current_number = current_number + 1
Exercises: Algorithm & Flowchart
1.) Create an algorithm and a flowchart that will accept/read two
numbers and then display the bigger number.
Exercises: Algorithm & Flowchart
2.) Create an algorithm and a flowchart that will compute the
area of a circle.
Exercises: Algorithm & Flowchart
3.) Create an algorithm and a flowchart that will compute the
sum of two numbers. If the sum is below or equal to twenty, two
numbers will be entered again. If the sum is above 20, it will
display the sum.
Exercises: Algorithm & Flowchart
4) Create an algorithm and a flowchart that will output the largest
number among the three numbers.
More exercises
1. Create an algorithm and a flowchart that will output for g.c.d.
2. Create an algorithm and a flowchart that will output the factorial of a
given number.
3. Create an algorithm and a flowchart that will output all the prime
numbers between 2 numbers.
